Assessment of the protective effect of vitamin E on the quality of spermatogenesis and sperm parameters in rats exposed to lead

Background and aims: Vitamins are a rich source of antioxidants that can neutralize the harmful effects of lead on spermatogenesis and sperm parameters. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of vitamin E on spermatogenesis and sperm parameters in lead-exposed rats. Methods: This is an experimental study on 45 male Wistar that were allocated to 5 groups: distilled water gavage, intraperitoneal distilled water, vitamin E, lead, and lead+ vitamin E. All the rats were exposed to lead for 30 days. Then, the rats were sacrificed and sperm count, motility and morphology of sperm chromatin, and epididymitis and testis weight were investigated. Results: The findings showed significant differences in weight gain, epididymitis weight, sperm death, the highest mobility of sperm among the groups (P>0.05). Vitamin E and control (gavage) rats experienced more weight than other groups. There was a significant difference in the highest mobility of sperm between peritoneal control group and other groups (P0.05). There was a significant difference in sperm death between lead group, and the control groups and vitamin E group (P>0.05) with the least sperm death. Vitamin E group had a significantly lower sperm death than other groups. There was no significant difference in the testis weight, normal morphology, and normal DNA among the groups (P<0.05). Vitamin E had noticeable effects on gaining weight, epididymitis weight, and survived sperm, and a noticeable reducing effect on lead's harmful side effects on the sperm. Conclusions: The results indicate the protective effects of vitamin E on spermatogenesis quality and some sperm parameters in rats exposed to lead

Wikipedia in the eyes of its beholders: A systematic review of scholarly research on wikipedia readers and readership

Hundreds of scholarly studies have investigated various aspects of the immensely popular Wikipedia. Although a number of literature reviews have provided overviews of this vast body of research, none of them has specifically focused on the readers of Wikipedia and issues concerning its readership. In this systematic literature review, we review 99 studies to synthesize current knowledge regarding the readership of Wikipedia and also provide an analysis of research methods employed. The scholarly research has found that Wikipedia is popular not only for lighter topics such as entertainment, but also for more serious topics such as health information and legal background. Scholars, librarians and students are common users of Wikipedia, and it provides a unique opportunity for educating students in digital literacy. We conclude with a summary of key findings, implications for researchers, and implications for the Wikipedia community

Protective effects of Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm) on sperm parameters and spermatogenesis quality in rats exposed to lead

Background: Some medicinal plants with their antioxidant properties have protective effects on sperm parameters and neutralize the harmful effects of lead exposure. Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the effects of Melissa on sperm parameters and spermatogenesis quality in adult rats exposed to lead. Methods: This animal experimental study was conducted on 45 male Wistar rats weighing 180 ± 20 g, which were allocated randomly into five groups (n=9): distilled water gavages (control) (0.5 ml); intraperitoneal distilled water (i.p. control) (0.5 ml); Melissa (100 mg/kg/bw); lead acetate (10 mg/kg/bw); and lead acetate (10 mg/kg/bw) plus Melissa (100 mg/kg/bw). After a 30-day treatment, the animals were sacrificed. Sperm parameters (count, motility, morphology, and chromatins assay) and weighing of the epididymis and testis were performed. Results: The results showed that in the lead acetate plus Melissa group, epididymis weight (0.37gr vs. 0.32gr), testis weight (1.40 vs. 1.28g), sperm motility (4.44% vs. 33.2 %(and viable sperm (90 vs. 50) were higher than the lead group. However, testicular weight, normal morphology, and DNA percentage showed insignificant differences among the study groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions: The results of the present study indicate the protective effects of Melissa officinalis on some sperm parameters and spermatogenesis quality in rats exposed to lead

Simultaneous Determination of TetracyclinesResidues in Bovine Milk Samples by Solid Phase Extraction and HPLC-FL Method

Introduction:Tetracyclines (TCs) are widely used in animal husbandry and their residues in milk may resultinharmful effects on human. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of TCs residues in various bovine milk samples from local markets of Ardabil, Iran. Methods:One hundred and fourteen pasteurized, sterilized and raw milk samples were collected from markets of Ardabil. Tetracycline, Oxytetracycline and Chlortetracycline (TCs) residues extraction carried out by Solid Phase Extraction method. Determination of TCs residues were performed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method using Fluorescence detector.Results: The mean of total TCs residues in all samples (114 samples) was 97.6 ±16.9ng/g and that of pasteurized, sterilized and raw milk samples were 87.1 ± 17.7, 112.0 ± 57.3 and 154.0 ± 66.3ng/g respectively. Twenty five point four percent of the all samples, and24.4%, 30% and 28.6% of the pasteurized, sterilized and raw milk samples, respectively had higher TCs residues than the recommended maximum levels (100ng/g). Conclusion:This study indicates the presence of tetracycline residues more than allowed amount. Regulatory authorities should ensure proper withdrawal period before milking the animals and definite supervisions are necessary on application of these drugs

Studying the environmental health status of beauty salons of Kashan

Background and aims: Beauty salons are considered as the places which the environmental health and renovation are adhered too. they can improve the society’s health and influence controlling the diseases. Not considering this issue causes the spread of skin and hair diseases and infections and louse. This study was aimed to determine the health status of beauty salons of Kashan in 2014. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was done in 2014 in Kashan. Out of 320 beauty salons in Kashan, 220 were selected at random. Collecting the data was through observation, interview, filling the questionnaires and check lists in the beauty salons. Data collection was done on the basis of the environmental health evaluation form for beauty salons. The check list related to each beauty salon was completed and the data were analyzed by SPSS software. Results: The results of this study showed that 45.5 of the salon employees had participated in the special course of public health and 54.5 had personal health card. Fifty one point four percent of them were acceptable in terms of personal hygiene and 52.7 shared the tools and equipment. Half of the beauty salons had been sanitized and 52.3 of them had soaps and towels. Conclusion: The results showed that the beauty salons in Kashan had acceptable building status. Some personal hygiene factors such as personal health card, public health certificate and observing personal hygiene needs more training. Also, more supervision and inspection must be carried out by the environmental health experts

Technology Affordances: The Case of Wikipedia

The affordance perspective to technology research aims to offer a definition of technology that bridges between previous positivist and constructivist perspectives. To study technology from an affordance angle, it needs to be defined and extracted. This study aims to develop a better understanding of technology by conceptualizing and dimensionalizing technology affordances. To demonstrate the practical value of our conceptualization, we empirically identify and define six affordances of Wikipedia as a case

On Kant and Husserl on Transcendental Logic

It is well known that the notion of transcendental logic has a prominent role in both Kant’s and Husserl’s theories of knowledge. The main aim of the present paper is to study the links between formal and transcendental logic in Husserl on the one hand, and the links between general logic and transcendental logic in Kant on the other. There is a debate about the proper relation between transcendental logic and general logic in Kant’s philosophy. By means of our definition of transcendental logic, mainly drawn from Husserl’s analyses, we will try to offer an appropriate interpretation of Kant’s view

Modeling the spatial distribution of crop cultivated areas at a large regional scale combining system dynamics and a modified Dyna-CLUE: A case from Iran

Agricultural land use pattern is affected by many factors at different scales and effects that are separated by time and space. This will lead to simulation models that optimize or project the cropping pattern changes and incorporate complexities in terms of details and dynamics. Combining System Dynamics (SD) and a modified Conversion of Land Use and its Effects (CLUE) modelling framework, this paper suggests a new dynamic approach for assessing the demand of different crops at country-level and for predicting the spatial distribution of cultivated areas at provincial scale. As example, a case study is presented for Iran, where we have simulated a scenario of future cropping pattern changes during 2015–2040.The results indicated a change in the spatial distribution of cultivated areas during the next years. An increase in the proportion of rice is expected in northern Iran, whereas the proportion of wheat is increasing in the mountainous western areas. Wheat and barley crops are expected to become dominant within the cropping system throughout the country regions